Stop at Johnnie’s for Italian ice.
Leek. Organized, efficient, whip-cracking and bookkeeping, integral to getting event off the ground. Many, many thanks.
Stevez: “Podhalanka is dead to me.”
Downward spiral averted by visit to Honey One.
Pleasant House: an absolute high point, peak eating experience, everyone was happy, munching, momentum building
Rinconcito Cubano went out of their way to make things nice for us.
Talking to two Korean gentlemen at Joong Boo Market. Me: “We’re eating for 24 hours, around the clock.” Korean gentleman: "Why do you have to do that?”
Professor Fine scrutinizes can of larvae that ReneG brought to event. This was not the worst taste of the night.
C2’s pacific demeanor belies the maelstrom of Queen-inspired insanity taking place in background (I have the video).
Looking out over Bai Cafe, and a group that was unusually large for 2AM or whatever it was, I thought: this is why I got into online food communites: so I could have intense on-ground experiences with fellow enthusiasts. Fun game: Where's Ed Fisher/gleam?
Almost became test for Illinois interpretation of Stand Your Ground. Insane, aggressive, drunk guy eats live crayfish, challenges the usually unflappable laikom.
Nadir: Jim’s Original. How do they possibly pack so much tasteless grease into a small space?
Brains for breakfast. It’s tradition
Nha Hang, a beautiful end to the serious eating portion of the day – all reaching capacity, still eating, because so damn good.
Patoriq’s excellent son Wyatt waited in line at Donut Vault; happy_stomach, pleased.
Big thanks for patoriq for driving and to Vital Information for engineering schedule. Biggest thanks to all those many restaurants that welcomed us, made us feel at home, and served us exceptional food.
Trip log
1. Johnnie’s
2. Manny’s
3. Italian Superior Bakery
4. La Chapparita
5. Filbert’s
6. Ramova Grill
7. Maria’s
8. Pleasant House
9. (Turkish apricots at justjoan’s)
10. Honey One
11. Rinconcito Cubano
12. Peruvian Corner Market
13. Joong Boo Market
14. El Ilano
15. Sticky Rice
16. Laschett’s
17. Diner (Dinner?) Grill
18. Bai Café
19. Red Hot Ranch
20. Sweet City
21. Jim’s Original
22. Valois
23. Shan
24. Nha Hang
25. Green City
26. Donut Vault
27. Gene & Georgetti’s
"Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins